ValueJet admits crew error in Abuja serious breach

ValueJet has admitted that the serious breach which occurred on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, resulted from a lapse by its crew.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) disclosed that on Tuesday, ValueJet pilot initiated departure procedures without mandatory clearance from ground control.

Recognising the gravity of the crew’s action, the airline confirmed that those involved in the serious breach were immediately removed from active duty. An internal review is now underway to determine the root cause and prevent any future recurrence.

In a statement released by ValueJet Management, the airline expressed full cooperation with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in its ongoing investigation.

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It reiterated that safety remains non-negotiable and emphasised that its operations are guided by strict regulatory and international safety standards. “We are committed to accountability at all levels,” the airline stated.

ValueJet also appreciated the NCAA’s swift response and pledged to work closely with the Authority to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian aviation sector.
NCAA Suspends Crew Over Serious Breach

The NCAA on Tuesday suspended the licences of both the pilot, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Olobaboth, of the affected ValueJet aircraft with immediate effect.

According to the regulator, it received reports concerning a serious breach of aviation safety protocols involving the ValueJet cockpit crew at the
Abuja airport.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.